Garden City Fire Department donation helps train new recruits

Garden City Fire Department Chief James Crosby believes in giving back to the community. "Whether it is standing in the road filling the booth for the Muscular Dystrophy Association or cooking spaghetti at the senior center, we want the Garden City Fire Department to be involved in our community," said Crosby. When the opportunity arose to help in the teaching of new recruits it was no different. "We are very happy to donate some of our old air packs to the new Firefighter I program at Savannah Technical College to help train new recruits."

Savannah Technical College will offer all classes needed for the Basic Fire Company Officer Certificate in a combination of online and evening classes during spring semester 2013. Completion of the 15-week firefighter certification program will qualify graduates to begin a career as a firefighter.

All Fire Science classes are offered at the Crossroads campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407) with schedules convenient to firefighter work schedules with a combination of evening and online classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various fire departments. The Fire Science programs at Savannah Technical College prepare graduates for success in a fire and emergency service environment, along with the leadership skills to be successful in progressing through the ranks of the fire and emergency services. Most experienced firefights continue studying to improve their job performance and prepare for promotion examinations. To progress to higher level positions, they acquire expertise in advanced firefighting equipment and techniques, building construction, emergency medical technology, writing, public speaking, management and budgeting procedures, and public relations.

Opportunities for promotion in fire science depend upon the results of written examinations, as well as job performance, interviews, and seniority. Hands-on tests that simulate real-world job situations also are used by some fire departments. Usually, firefighters are first promoted to engineer, then lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and finally, chief. For promotion to positions higher than battalion chief, many fire departments now require a bachelor's degree, preferably in fire science, public administration, or a related field. The National Fire Academy requires a bachelor's degree to be admitted into the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP). Fire Science Lead Instructor Anthony (Tony) Faust retired from the City of Savannah as a Battalion Chief after 25 years of service. Faust rose through the ranks at Savannah Fire and was its first Public Information Officer. He received numerous accolades during his career including a commendation for rescuing flood victims in the mid-1990s. Interested students should contact Faust at tfaust@savannahtech.edu or 912-443-3386.